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Electroconvulsive Therapy Program

A Brief History of ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy, commonly called ECT, was
developed in 1938. During the period following its
introduction, ECT was found effective for treating
multiple psychiatric illnesses, especially depression.
With the development of psychiatric medications and
stigma associated with ECT in the 1960's, the use
of ECT treatment declined. The use of ECT has increased
since the 1970's because of improved treatment delivery
methods, increased safety and comfort measures, and
enhanced anesthesia management. ECT is the most effective
treatment for severe mental illness and is an extremely
safe treatment.

ECT is most commonly used to treat patients with
severe depression who fail to respond to medications
or who are unable to tolerate the side effects associated
with the medications. ECT may also be the treatment
of choice for patients who need a more rapid response
than medications can provide. This would include those
who are severely agitated, delusional, suicidal, not
eating or drinking, as well as those who suffer from
catatonia (a potentially life threatening trance-like
state).

The use of ECT is not limited to the treatment of
depression. It may also be used to stabilize bipolar
illness during extreme episodes of mania or depression.
Additionally, ECT can be used to halt psychotic episodes
associated with schizophrenia. Once these individuals
are stabilized, medications are started or resumed.